> US SAILING Media > Latest News > 2010 > Chris Raab Wins His First US SAILING Championship of Champions
Chris Raab Wins His First US SAILING Championship of Champions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jake Fish
US SAILING Communications Manager
jakefish@ussailing.org
Raab and Kinney expanded their lead six point lead from Friday by posting fifth and fourth place finishes on Saturday morning. Raab didn’t finish worse than fifth (twice) in any race. He won one and finished in the top three in five races. Local standout, Danny Pletsch (Greenwich, Conn.) and crew Mark Kroening finished second overall.
Raab explained, “We pounded the middle of the course. In these really shifty winds, we couldn’t pick a side. With the largest crew in the fleet, we put our bow down and let it rip when it got windy.”
A member of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club (Calif.), Raab qualified for the event with his win in last year’s Mercury 18 National Championship in Richmond, Calif. In previous Championship of Champions events he has collected four top three finishes, but never quite got over the top until this week.
“This is truly a thrill for us,” said Raab. “I’ve come close to winning this before and we finally made it happen this year. I remember my first run at the championship back in the late 70s with Randy Smyth.”
The annual Championship of Champions is recognized as one of the most unique US SAILING Championships of the year. All of the competitors qualified by winning a National and/or North American Championship in a one-design class. The Indian Harbor Yacht Club in Greenwich, Conn. was the host this year. Racing was conducted in Ideal 18s. Similar to Friday, wind speeds ranged from 20 to 30 knots on Long Island Sound.
A number of notable class champions were competing this week. US SAILING’s 2006 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Jud Smith (Marblehead, Mass.), representing the Etchells class, was the guest competitor this year. He won the event in 1984. Mike Ingham (Rochester, N.Y.) competed in his sixth Championship of Champions after winning the Thistle Nationals this summer. He won the event in 2005. Alan Field (Los Angeles, Calif.) made his first return to the Championship of Champions since his win in 2006. Field qualified this year with his win at the Melges 24 National Championships last June.
US SAILING’s Championship of Champions is sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. and Dry Creek Vineyard. Please visit the event web site for final results, daily reports, photo galleries, and more.
Final Standings: Top Five
Pos. Class Skipper/Crew Results Total Points
1. Mercury 18 Chris Raab/Robert Kinney 4-3-4-3-[5]-1-3-2-5-4: 29
2. Interclub Danny Pletsch/Mark Kroening 9-[13]-2-5-6-7-4-1-2-5: 41
3. Thistle Mike Ingham/Bryan Jerman 5-8-8-4-7-6-[15]-5-3-2: 48
4. Lightning Marcus Eagan/Cardwell Potts 3-6-1-13-8-3-1-4-12-[21/DNF]: 51
5. Etchells Jud Smith/Lindsey Smith 1-1-10-9-2-9-7-9-6-[14]: 54
About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US SAILING is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About Rolex Watch U.S.A.
Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America's Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently recognized and encouraged excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics preparation, US SAILING championships, disabled sailing, offshore, one-design and women's events.
About Dry Creek Vineyard
Founded in 1972 by David S. Stare, Dry Creek Vineyard is located in the heart of Dry Creek Valley, just outside of the charming wine country town of Healdsburg. The winery is known for producing some of California’s finest Fumé Blancs and Zinfandels. In addition to these “flagships,” Dry Creek Vineyard is also known for excellent Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. In 1997, the family released a new vineyard designated Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate Endeavour vineyard. Then, beginning with the 2004 vintage, the family introduced a new proprietary blend called The Mariner. Each wine has redefined the concept of terroir as the winery continues shape their portfolio for future success. Dry Creek Vineyard owns over 200 acres of vineyard land, primarily in Dry Creek Valley and the Russian River Valley. For more information on Dry Creek Vineyard please visit www.drycreekvineyard.com.
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US SAILING is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About Rolex Watch U.S.A.
Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America's Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently recognized and encouraged excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics preparation, US SAILING championships, disabled sailing, offshore, one-design and women's events.
About Dry Creek Vineyard
Founded in 1972 by David S. Stare, Dry Creek Vineyard is located in the heart of Dry Creek Valley, just outside of the charming wine country town of Healdsburg. The winery is known for producing some of California’s finest Fumé Blancs and Zinfandels. In addition to these “flagships,” Dry Creek Vineyard is also known for excellent Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. In 1997, the family released a new vineyard designated Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate Endeavour vineyard. Then, beginning with the 2004 vintage, the family introduced a new proprietary blend called The Mariner. Each wine has redefined the concept of terroir as the winery continues shape their portfolio for future success. Dry Creek Vineyard owns over 200 acres of vineyard land, primarily in Dry Creek Valley and the Russian River Valley. For more information on Dry Creek Vineyard please visit www.drycreekvineyard.com.